Lebanon prime minister seeks timetable for Israeli withdrawal, Hezbollah condemns government approach

Beirut’s handling of security matters along the southern border has come under fire from Hezbollah, which accused Lebanese officials of endangering the national army and inviting heightened Israeli pressure. In a statement released on Monday, the Shiite movement condemned the government’s decision to allow limited army deployments near the contested frontier, arguing that the move exposes troops to “unnecessary risk” amid a volatile security environment and could be exploited by Israel to intensify its military posture.

Hezbollah’s critique follows a series of cross‑border incidents that have raised tensions between Lebanon and Israel, including aerial alerts and occasional artillery exchanges. The group warned that the Lebanese army, already stretched by internal challenges, could become a target for Israeli retaliation if it is drawn into confrontations that the government has not fully coordinated. Beirut’s officials, however, maintain that the deployments are intended to safeguard sovereignty and deter incursions, emphasizing a diplomatic effort to balance security needs with regional pressures. The dispute underscores the delicate interplay between domestic political factions and external threats shaping Lebanon’s security strategy.